In Virginia, following too closely is a 4 demerit point violation and the conviction stays on your driving record 3 years. Driving 20 mph over the speed limit is considered reckless driving, is 6 points and remains on your record 11 years.

The improper lane change would have been 3 points if you received a ticket instead of a warning. The VA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not list failure to control the vehicle on its list of moving violation demerit points but it could be listed under another name and have points associated with it.

Points accumulate on your record, if you are 18 or older and receive 8 demerit points in 12 months; you will receive an advisory letter that cautions you about violating the law. If you accumulate 12 demerit points in 12 months you will be required to complete a driver improvement clinic. Eighteen points accumulated in 12 months will cause your driving privilege to be suspended for 90 days.

Typically if you are 18 or older, you may be awarded 5 safe driving points for successfully completing the driver improvement clinic. But if the court requires you to complete the clinic, the court will determine if you will be awarded safe driving points. You can only receive safety points for attending a clinic every 2 years, so it appears you will only have to take it once.

If your demerit points total requires the DMV or court to have you complete the driver improvement clinic they will be the ones to determine if you receive safety points. Offering to take the clinic before being ordered to do so might help, but you would have to check with the DMV or court in which you must respond to your citations.